Sleep Disordered Breathing | Dentist in Georgetown, TX

I have decided to screen all patients for sleep disordered breathing. Why? Because it can kill you, and no one will ever know why you died. Generally, only sleep medicine physicians, ENT’s and a few others have any idea what’s going on, but at least 20% of all adults have it and 50% of everyone over 60 has it. 90% of those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are not being treated. It killed my grandfather, and I have it, too. On a typical day in my office 2 or 3 of you will have it, but most of you know don’t know it yet. Are you one of those 2 or 3?

Some medical problems associated with Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) are:

Sudden Death
Heart Attack
Stroke
Coronary Artery Disease
Congestive Heart Failure
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Atrial Fibrillation
Pulmonary Hypertension
Type 2 Diabetes
Acid Reflux
Hypothyroidism
Bruxism
Depression
Anxiety
Erectile Dysfunction
Snoring
Obesity
Headaches
Poor memory
Dementia
Sleep Driving
Periodontal disease

The typical person with SDB is like me… male, over 50, overweight, and with a large neck, but we’re finding that even athletes have this problem. For example, current 25-year-old Astros pitcher Josh James has sleep apnea. Treatment saved his career. Reggie White died at age 43 from sleep apnea. It is estimated that one third of all NFL players have sleep apnea. The numbers are just ridiculous. You have to be tested to know, and this screening is a good indicator of whether or not you should be tested. The screen is only an evaluation of your risk. Increased risk does not indicate disease, just a need to test.

Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children

Sleep disordered breathing can also affect children. An estimated nine out of ten children suffer from one or more symptoms related to Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). – JAOS, Bergersen / Stevens

These children experience a wide range of debilitating SDB-related health disorders, such as:

ADD/ADHD
Lower IQ
Chronic Allergies
Aggressive Behavior
Mouth Breathing
Swollen Adenoids and Tonsils
Daytime Drowsiness
Crooked Teeth
Restless Sleep
Bedwetting
Nightmares
Dark Circles Under the Eyes
Snoring
Irritability
Frequent Headaches
Arrested Growth
Low Grades in Math, Science and Spelling

The HealthyStart® System is an oral appliance therapy that promotes natural growth and development, which addresses the root causes of SDB. Research has shown that SDB-induced oxygen deprivation is a major contributing factor to the childhood health disorders shown above.

The HealthyStart System has been specifically designed to promote the proper growth and development of the jaw and airway to optimize airflow and promote proper nasal breathing while straightening your child’s teeth. As these areas develop many of the symptoms of sleep disordered breathing disappear. When kids can breathe properly, they can begin to learn, grow and blossom into their true genetic potential … just as nature intended.

Many kids with the above health disorders are being “treated” with powerful drugs without evaluating a possible root cause. Our office can evaluate your child and indicate if there is a breathing and sleeping issue. Please take the sleep and speech questionnaire to make an initial evaluation of your child.

Healthy Start not only addresses the root cause of Sleep Disorder Breathing it simultaneously straightens your child’s teeth without braces. Best of all, when treatment begins early, the perfect smiles that the HealthyStart Appliance System creates are less likely to relapse!

HealthyStart creates healthier, happier kids who can breathe. Rarely has there ever been a single appliance or system with the power to impact your child’s health in so many positive ways. As a parent, you owe it to your child to give them every chance to succeed. Call today for more information on how to help children achieve their full potential.

Every Child Deserves a Healthy Start!

HealthyStart Appliances are FDA Cleared, BPA, Silicone and Latex Free, ISO Certified, and a Health Canada Class II Medical-Grade Device.

Treatment with the HealthyStart Appliance System promotes natural growth and development and is safe and effective. HealthyStart is non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical, pain-free and non-invasive therapy. It is soft, comfortable and worn at night (or as directed) to assist parents who struggle with children affected by sleep-related breathing disorder, a restricted airway and crowded or crooked teeth.

Contact our office today at 512-869-5997 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Mark Kupec and learn more about our treatments for sleep disordered breathing in Georgetown, Texas